Express & Star

Poundland bans Chinese lanterns after Smethwick waste plant fire

Poundland has pulled Chinese lanterns from sale in the wake of a £6 million blaze in the Black Country, it was revealed today.

Published

The inferno at the Jayplas recycling plant in Smethwick is one of the biggest to have ever broken out in the West Midlands and was tackled by more than 200 firefighters at its peak.

Surveillance footage showed a Chinese lantern landing on the site, containing up to 100,000 bales of plastic, before it burst into flames.

And now Willenhall-based budget chain Poundland, which has more than 300 branches nationwide, has removed the lanterns from their shelves.

Richard Lancaster, trading director at Poundland, said: "We constantly review our buying decisions in accordance to what's happening around us.

"After hearing the news about the fire in Smethwick we have made a decision to stop selling lanterns to our customers, and recalled all remaining stock from stores."

CCTV showing the Chinese lantern descending onto the rubbish at a recycling plant in Smethwick

There have been growing calls for increased regulations on the lanterns since last weekend's blaze, with pressure mounting on the Government for a blanket ban.

West Midlands Fire Service, MPs and environmental groups are among those fighting for action. The region's chief fire officer Vij Randeniya said the lanterns were becoming 'an increasing problem' for the service and urged people not to use them.

He today welcomed Poundland's decision to axe the lanterns from sale and urged other retailers to follow suit. "This will make a direct contribution to public safety," he added.

  • Caught on CCTV - Chinese lantern that sparked huge Smethwick blaze

  • Bosses speak out after Chinese lantern sparks region's biggest fire

Removal of lanterns from shelves praised - See your Weekend Express & Star

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.